The suspect, identified as Hector Medina, turned himself in to law enforcement on Wednesday and now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to federal prosecutors, Medina approached the former congressman, George Santos, claiming that he had the ability to strike a deal where he could eliminate any evidence that could potentially harm the congressman's reputation. The Justice Department alleges that Medina engaged in wire fraud when he sent messages to Santos stating that he could have all charges against him dropped.

Medina, a 39-year-old resident of El Paso, sent a video to Santos in July 2023 offering his services and followed up with text messages the same day. While the identity of "Individual-1" is not explicitly mentioned in the court filings, it is evident that Santos, who had previously represented New York's 3rd Congressional District and is now facing criminal charges, is the person being referred to.

Court documents reveal that Medina attempted to defraud other high-profile individuals, including a "publicly known" actor who had been convicted of felonies in California in 2023, as well as a musician and a professional athlete who were arrested during the same period. The exact identities of these alleged victims have not been disclosed in the filings.

During the investigation, Medina admitted to searching the internet for individuals who appeared to be in legal trouble, indicating that he needed money to cover substantial gambling debts amounting to over $100,000. It seems that Medina specifically targeted individuals who were vulnerable due to their legal challenges to exploit them for his financial gain.

In the video sent to Santos, Medina can be heard claiming to work with prosecutors and judges across the United States, offering his services to help the congressman cut a deal that would result in dropped charges and vanished evidence. He requested a payment of $900,000, providing his routing and account number as well.

Authorities allege that Medina persistently contacted Santos throughout the summer of 2023, boasting about his expertise in manipulating legal situations. He referred to himself as a "genius" and a "wizard" when it came to such matters, attempting to instill trust and persuade the former congressman to comply with his demands.

Medina's attorney, Joseph Veith, stated that his client is fully prepared to address the allegations through the legal process. The accused will be making his first appearance in court later today.

The case serves as a reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to deceive and exploit those facing legal troubles. The authorities urge everyone to remain vigilant and cautious when approached with offers that seem too good to be true.